Bluegill Fishing in Illinois

Bluegill fishing or brim fishing is a popular activity in Illinois. Southern Illinois is where i have the most experience fishing in. I've done most of my fishing in private lakes and ponds but I've also had some experience at some of the more popular public lakes as well. This article will list some of the best public lakes for fishing in Illinois as well as the lake I have the most knowledge of; Rend Lake.

List of lakes and rivers for bluegill fishing in Illinois

Carlyle Lake, Cedar Lake, Clinton Lake, Coffeen Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Crystal Lake, Lake Decatur, Devils Kitchen Lake, Lake of Egypt, Lake Galena, Grass lake, Grays Lake, Highland Lake, Lake Holiday, Horseshoe Lake, Island Lake, Kinkaid Lake, LaSalle Lake, Little Grassy Lake, Long Lake, Lake Lou Yaeger, Lake Mattoon, Like Michigan, Newton Lake, Otter Lake, Ramsey Lake, Rend Lake, Round Lake, Sand Lake, Sangcrhis Lake, Senachwine Lake, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Lake Summerset, Lake Taylorville, Lake Vermilion, West Loon Lake, Wonder Lake, Wood Creek Lake.

Fishing for bluegill at Rend Lake

Rend Lake is the lake that I have the most experience in bluegill fishing at. It is one of the best public lakes in Southern Illinois Rend lake is great for all types of panfish besides bluegill or brim. These include some favorites such as white crappie and black crappie. Rend Lake is great for catching sunnies and rockbass as well. I personally have fished Rend Lake not only for bluegill and panfish, but all channel catfish and largemouth bass.

The best places to fish for bluegill at Rend Lake are of course the weed beds along the coasts of the lake. To mix it up though, there are a ton of areas where there are dead tree stumps sticking up. These areas are a haven not only for bluegill fishing. but also for crappie fishing. Crappie can be caught year round along the tree trunks at about 10 feet deep. All these fish can easily be caught on tube lures, minnows, and crickets. You'll have to check the laws at Rend Lake when you arive there to make sure of the limits you are allowed to keep and as always make sure to have an up to date fishing license.

Bluegill Information